Retreat of the week: Luxury Boutique City and Sea Yoga Escape in Sicily

Our all inclusive city and sea yoga escape in Sicily begins in the vibrant and flamboyant city of Palermo. Famed for its storied past and street food culture, this is a city at the edge of Europe, at center of the ancient world. A place where Arabesqu rub shoulders with baroque churches, a place where fallen empires and faded frescos collide.

Staying in the heart of the old Souk markets, at the luxury boutique hotel Baglio San Giovanni we find ourselves in the lively centro storico wandering the labyrinthine streets, breathing in the dazzling aroma of spices, and savoring local delights.

We greet each morning with a guided meditation, followed by a yoga class focusing on the chakras to recharge the body’s energy centres. Weather permitting, our morning practice will take place in the gardens of our hotel.

Following this, we indulge in a café breakfast Sicilian-style, before taking some precious moments for riposare — the lovely Italian word for relaxation.

The rest of our days we spend in the ancient heart of Palermo, wandering the colourful markets with fruit stalls piled high resembling works of art, breathing in the dazzling aroma of spices, and savoring street food delights.

We take you on a tour, exploring the aphrodisiac properties of Sicilian spezzi and enjoy a cooking class with a local chef, who will share culinary secrets passed down from generations. We lunch and dine at restaurants serving local specialties sure to captivate the senses.

In Sicilian cuisine we find a tradition of flavourful simplicity — and like an artist’s palette, it is a delicious testimony to the intricate tapestry of cultures that settled here.

This escape is open to singles and couples of all levels of yoga, and every walk of life. For anyone interested in the mind-opening experiences inspired by yoga, meditation and travel, as well as a love of Italy and it’s food and culture, then this is the retreat for you!.

The architectural splendour of Palermo will leave you in awe as we search the labyrinthine streets for stories left behind by Norman Kings and Arab dynasties, the glittering gold of Byzantine mosaics and the particularities of Sicilian Baroque.

Prepare to be enchanted by walking tours that will both inform and mesmerize! This old world charm sets a backdrop for a city that is abuzz with modern art and fashion. Our Escape provides time for some shopping along the glamorous Via Liberta, as well as scoping out upcoming designers, as we uncover the secrets of Sicilian style.

Mid-week we journey to the seaside oasis of Marsala — famed for its picturesque salt-pans, sweet wine and amber sunsets. We find repose at the beautifully appointed and luxurious villa.

During this part of our Escape we slow down and focus on renewal and restoration as we practice yoga and meditation in the tranquil haven of our villa’s rose garden.

Our activities on Sicily’s west coast include a private wine tour, a day trip to the exquisite isle of Favignana, charming sunset aperitivi, and a fun workshop learning the art of the ‘perfect photograph’.

Notwithstanding the magic of wine and art, the yoga highlight of our trip is a sacred meditation in Selinunte. Here in ancient Phoenicia we breathe in the air of lost civilizations and experience a guided venus inspired meditation amongst the ruins.

We celebrate this celestial homecoming with our personal star map in hand as we consult the planets, focusing on where Venus falls in our own chart. Taking cues from the Goddess of beauty, we discover the significance she holds in our lives and the ways in which we can manifest the creative spirit within us.

Our Escape culminates hilltop gazing over the picturesque vineyards of Fina Cantina, as we sip on our aperitif, storytell with the stars, and watch the sunset over the Egadi Islands. In true Sicilian style, we wine and dine together one last evening, creating a memorable tavola of stories and flavours to remain with us per sempre.

On the final morning of our Sicilian Escape, we complete our time together with a light yoga practice, followed by breakfast, before we transfer you back to your life with a restored mind and body, a deep sense of friendship, self-discovery and transformation. Find out more.